Among the decisions voters must make in November are who they want to lead the country as well as who they want to lead their local governments and school districts.

Filing opens today for candidates to put their names in the running for several fall elections.

Filing is open until Aug. 20 for the Nov. 6 election.

Though most local entities hold elections in May, city council positions are up in Groves and Port Neches, school board members up in Orangefield and Lumberton residents will likely choose whether to allow alcohol sales in the city.

No filing is required for several other issues that will be on some ballots in November.

Hardin-Jefferson ISD is asking voters to decide on a $22 million bond proposition that would replace the district's middle school and build new baseball and softball fields and tennis courts.

In Hardin County, there is still time for Lumberton residents to get on one side or the other in the debate of whether to sell alcohol in the city's limits. It is not certain yet if the issue will be on the November ballot.

City secretary Susan Collins is still in the process of verifying the petition signatures that were submitted earlier this summer as the first step to put the propositions on the ballot.

Collins said she will have the signatures verified by Aug. 4 and will present the information to the city council Aug. 13.

If there are enough verified signatures, the council will then call for a special election which would include two propositions - one to allow stores to sell beer and wine for off premise consumption and another to allow restaurants to sell mixed drinks.